Bhagalpur Silk Industry

Bhagalpur Silk Industry

Bhagalpur silk fabrics are under the global spotlight. But, beneath all the sheen, the industry has a dark side as
Well, leaving the existence of its craftsmen in obscurity

Bhagalpur is a town with historical importance situated on the banks of the river Ganga in the state of Eastern Bihar. Once
Considered as the biggest trade centre of Eastern India, the city is famous for its unique silk fabrics called 'Tussah or
Tusser'. Silk weaving is an age old tradition in the city. Fabrics produced in the city are famous both at the domestic and
The international market. Bhagalpur cluster ranks the second highest, next to Karnataka in the production and exports of silk
Fabrics. It has been named as the Silk City due to its popularity for Bhagalpuri silk


Uniqueness of Bhagalpur Silk

History of the Bhagalpur weavers date back to a period more than 100
Years. The industry is 200 years old, with skills passed on to the craftsman over many generations. More than 35,000 handloom
Weavers, with 25,000 looms live in Bhagalpur. Total trade of Bhagalpur is approximately 100 crores per annum, 50% comprising
Domestic and 50% from the export market. Around 1,00,000 people are engaged in the work of separating silk threads from
Cocoons, and spinning the yarn to weave into cloth


Silk fabrics made in Bhagalpurare being exported to
Countries like West Asia, Europe, U.S., and Japan. Home furnishings are becoming increasingly famous in the international
Market. Outfits designed with this exclusive silk fabric have gained immense popularity in ramp shows, and fashion
weeks


Is the Industry losing its sheen?

The industry makes 2 million meters of silk in a year. After reaching a profitable figure of Rs.3, 500 crore in 2007, silk
Exports are predicted to fall to Rs.2, 000 crore in 2009. Bhagalpur, once a booming place for silk fabric making is now
Losing its market to new centres such as Bangalore, and Ahmadabad. Lack of credit, power shortage, and increasing competition
From the other silk manufacturing centres has put the Bhagalpur craftsmen under jeopardy. The subsidies offered by the
Government to the silk making units in Bhagalpur are also drained off by some other people. Some of the looms are operated by
Generators, and are more dependent on them. Bhagalpur receives power supply only for two hours in a day. Chronic power cuts
in the state have also intensified the problem




The craftsmen are average people, with many of them living below the poverty line. While they make glorious fabrics for the
Elite people of the society, their lives always are in darkness. As the weavers are not able to grease the palms of officials
They have problems in getting bank loans sanctioned. Most of them take loans from the market for an interest rate of 5% for a
Month. With the payments for their cloth getting delayed, they face problems in repayment. Possibilities exist that, weavers
Might shift for alternate source of earning, and leave the age old weaving tradition to deteriorate, and die
gradually

The silk industry of Bhagalpuris reeling under adverse
Conditions. The drying market is staring at the silk weavers, leaving them on the brink. Many factories are shut down, and
Weavers are moving to other cities, while some of them are doing labor works, and a few started selling vegetables. The silk
Industry of Bhagalpur is now fighting for a foothold